Bright!Tax US Expat Tax Blog

How to Use the Foreign Housing Exclusion to Lower Your U.S. Tax Bill

Living abroad can be an adventure—new culture, new coffee, new rent receipts. But if you’re a U.S. taxpayer overseas, there’s one perk you don’t want to miss: the Foreign Housing Exclusion. The Foreign Housing Exclusion (FHE) allows qualified expats to deduct certain housing costs from their taxable income—on top of the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. […]

What Americans Living in Spain Need to Know in 2026

Sunny day at Park Güell in Barcelona, reflecting the vibrant lifestyle enjoyed by many Americans living in Spain.

Spain has a way of making big life changes feel deceptively easy. The pace slows, the food improves, and suddenly staying for “just a year” turns into a plan. But for Americans living in Spain, 2026 still comes with a to-do list hiding behind the sunshine—residency steps, housing, healthcare access, budgeting in euros, and paperwork […]

Form 709: How U.S. Taxpayers Report Gifts to the IRS

Cash tied with a red ribbon, representing a financial gift that may require filing Form 709 for gift tax reporting.

Big gifts come with a little fine print. If you give more than the annual exclusion to any one person in a year (or make another reportable transfer), Form 709 is the paperwork that keeps score. Here’s the surprise: filing the form doesn’t usually mean paying the federal gift tax. Instead, it’s more like keeping […]

FBAR vs 8938: Which One Applies to You (or Is It Both?)

Sorting out FBAR vs 8938—because even confident taxpayers want to get it right.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you need to file FBAR, Form 8938, or both, you’re not alone. It’s one of the great rites of passage for U.S. expats: realizing that the IRS and FinCEN both want a peek at your foreign accounts—but through entirely different lenses. Both forms exist to catch unreported foreign financial assets, […]

US Exit Tax: The Cost of Renouncing Citizenship

US Exit Tax

Renouncing U.S. citizenship is a big step—whether you’re making a fresh start in a foreign country, simplifying your federal tax obligations, or just ready to cut through the paperwork that comes with holding a U.S. passport. But before you go, there’s one last thing to consider: the U.S. exit tax. Designed to tax unrealized gains, the exit […]

Combat Zone Tax Exclusion: How Military Pay Is Treated by the IRS

U.S. military service member in uniform, representing those eligible for tax benefits like the combat zone exclusion.

Recognizing the unique sacrifices made by those serving, Congress originally enacted the CZTE back in 1918 as a way to show appreciation and provide tangible support. It’s been a cornerstone of military tax benefits for decades, evolving over time to adapt to changing circumstances. The CZTE is a lifeline for many service members. With the pressures of deployment, from separation from loved ones to the inherent risks of the job, having a tax break offers some ease when it comes to financial burdens.